Tramell Tillman recreated Lumon’s bizarre company celebration from theSeveranceseason 2 finale. To commemorate Mark S. (Adam Scott) on finishing the Cold Harbor File in the latest episode of Apple TV+’s hit psychological thriller, Tillman’s Mr. Milchick introduced the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) team toanother strange department on the severed floor: Choreography & Merriment. Acting as the drum major forC&M’s marching band, Milchick led dozens of severed employees around MDR’s office to provide Mark with some"merriment"for his recent achievement.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter,Tillman made a surprise entrance at PaleyFest LA as he led USC’s marching band in a hilarious recreation of C&M’s congratulatory song(via X). While the audience in the footage appear overjoyed to see Tillman twirl his baton and blow his whistle, much like his enthusiasticSeverancecharacter, Mark and Helly (Britt Lower) were far less amused by their floor manager dancing along to C&M as green and blue lights flashed across their desk. Watch the full video below:
What This Means For Severance
Lumon’s Comical Rewards Hold A Deeper Meaning
The Choreography & Merriment (C&M) department’s celebratory sequence in theSeveranceseason 2 finalewasa twisted moment of Lumon’s corporate absurditymeant to honor Mark’s completion of the Cold Harbor file. After an incredibly awkward speech alongside a robotic Kier Eagan, the celebration ultimately backfired for Mr. Milchick. As the marching band performed around the office, Mark was able to slip away from MDR and make an escape to Lumon’s Testing Room floor in search of Gemma.
Mark’s Cold Harbor Mural In Severance’s Season 2 Finale Explained
Severance season 2, episode 10 features a new O&D painting in the form of Mark’s Cold Harbor mural, which holds a lot of deeper meaning.
This wasn’t the first strange department to be revealed in the Apple TV+ series. InSeveranceseason 1, Helly and Mark unknowingly run into Mammalians Nurturable, orLumon’s goat department. In the recent finale, the goats were revealed to have at least one purpose: to accompany Lumon’s test subjects, like Gemma, into the afterlife. Like Dylan’s waffle party orgy in season 1,these outlandish departments and performances serve as stark examples of Lumon’s zealous drive to control its severed workers.
A Comedic Take On Severance’s Darker Themes
Image via Apple TV+
Tillman’s playful recreation of theSeveranceseason 2 finale scene brings a lighthearted moment to an otherwise intense and unsettling show. Ultimately,the C&M celebration of Mark’s work emphasizes just how deeply Lumon believes in its pursuit of power. While Tillman’s drumline inSeveranceadded a welcome dose of levity to the corporate dystopia, the absurdity of C&M is still a glaring reminder of the show’s underlying critique of Lumon and the company’s control over its employees.
